Sand Creek High School

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Sand Creek High School, a suburban school facing challenging budget cuts, has primarily taught its students through traditional lecture methods and standard procedural labs. However, teachers at the school really want students to be scientists, not just hear about what scientists do.

The Vernier grant will allow this goal to become a reality by providing teachers the tools to implement inquiry-based lessons in which students can design investigations and gather quantitative data. As students become more proficient with the technology and the investigative nature of science, the school also plans to conduct long term studies, such as testing the water quality of their nearby stream over multiple seasons and years.